Why The Uplift Project Matters
Across our county, women are experiencing:

Social isolation and chronic loneliness
Domestic and sexual violence
Mental health challenges including depression and anxiety
Addiction-related difficulties
Barriers to education, employment, and community participation
These challenges are deeply interconnected and impact not only individual women, but families, children, and entire communities.

The model that underpins The Uplift Project has already demonstrated incredible, measurable impact. Women who participated reported increased confidence, improved mental wellbeing, reduced isolation, strengthened peer networks, and renewed hope for their futures. For many, it was a lifeline.

The subsequent loss of these supports has had a devastating impact on a significant number of women who previously relied on the programme. The absence of structured, safe, women-centred spaces has led to renewed isolation, setbacks in recovery journeys, and increased vulnerability for some of the most marginalised members of our community.

The need is not theoretical — it is urgent and real.

The Uplift Project provides:

Safe, inclusive spaces for healing and peer connection
1:1 and group-based supports
Programmes integrating physical activity and creative arts to strengthen wellbeing
Pathways toward leadership, education, and economic participation
Community-building initiatives that reduce stigma and increase resilience
This work is preventative, restorative, and transformative.

 
The Need for Core Funding
While short-term project grants enable pilot initiatives, they do not provide the stability required to:

Maintain trained staff and specialist supports
Ensure long-term programme continuity
Respond flexibly to emerging community needs
Build sustainable partnerships across sectors
Deliver measurable, lasting impact
Core funding would enable The Uplift Project to operate strategically, retain experienced staff, rebuild lost supports, and embed sustainable, high-quality services across Donegal.

 
Our Call to Action
We respectfully call on policymakers, funders, and decision-makers to:

Allocate dedicated core funding to The Uplift Project
Recognise women-centred community support as essential social infrastructure
Invest in preventative, community-based solutions that reduce long-term social and economic costs
Investing in women strengthens families.
Strengthening families strengthens communities.
Strengthening communities strengthens Donegal.